Vader reveal dynodes found...did I buy the right thing?

[robbytherobot]

Hey all, after some years of lurking, I'm finally diving into this screen accurate prop thing, and my first project is a full size vader display. I've just started to receive costume bits, and the current plan is to top it all off with a rotj anakin sculpt inside a custom vader reveal helm.


So I've been trolling auctions hoping to find some real dynodes for the skull, and came across what seemed to be the perfect fit--a used vacuum tube with dynodes which at first look seemed to be the real thing. I could see that they had the copper vanes and the frame seemed to be the right shape. The description says they are 2" diameter, and when measuring the length of one of the edges of the square portion, that made the vent frames about 1" wide, which seemed correct from what I've read. The only thing I didn't have was the model number of the correct tubes, which I had never seen posted anywhere...so I clicked that buy button...


Now, I've just come across a post on another forum that states the correct model to be a Thorn Emi tube, and by an image search on that, it seems to be a completely different beast. I'm noticing some subtle differences in the frames too, but of course it's impossible to tell until I have these in hand and bust one open.



Well, the money is spent. Is it possible that these are a good alternative to the Emi dynodes, and if so...is anyone else interested in a set? I only need one set for myself, and maybe one just because the tube is so damn interesting to look at. I would be totally open to divvying these up at a reasonable price, but I'd be even more interested in trading for other bits that I'll need to complete my reveal.


Here are some pics of my find....What do you reveal pros think?

 

[jme3]

Are you certain they're copper? It's not possible to tell by looking at them through the glass because the glass is amber colored. I can tell you that you definitely have the right make of dynode, but whether it's the right model you won't know until you open it. I don't remember the exact model number mine came from, but it was a Thorn-EMI (Electron Tubes) pmt.

IF they turn out to be aluminum instead of copper slats, you could always dress out your Emperor Palpatine throne...

 

[robbytherobot]

True, but the vanes behind that amber are much redder than the inside of the silver cup which appears merely amber-ish...fingers crossed!

 

[jme3]

I'll wish you luck. :thumbsup

 

[jme3]

Not to derail your thread, but since we're on the subject...

What other parts have you collected for your reveal, if you don't mind saying?

 

[robbytherobot]

Not at all...the answer to that is....Ah...none so far. The Rubies Supreme mask is arriving today (yeah, I know...but it's cheap and looks the part a lot better than my old undersized Don Post.) There are a lot of parts that are pretty generic, wires, tubes, cables etc you can find anywhere or are pretty easily DIY on a lathe. The bits I will need to find are the really recognizable and odd things like the greebles on crown (head keys?), the dental spacers, the metal linkages around the scalp, the AM plugs for the neck brace, etc. I have a small metal shop in the garage, so I can do things like custom tusks, the ends of the microphone tubes, etc.

The big thing I have to watch is budget. Fortunately my wife has put up with all this foolishness since before we were engaged (she sewed together my first DIY Vader costume when we were dating long ago in a galaxy far away) but she won't let me do something stupid like just buy the Rubies Supreme costume with an accurate fan cast helmet... I'll probably be getting some grief as it is if I can't get some of my money back from this latest dynode purchase. :lol

Should be an interesting project!

 

[robbytherobot]

Some more info on the tubes. There is no maker visible on the photos I have. The "proper" model is said to be EMI 9956 from what I can find.

 

[jme3]

Not at all...the answer to that is....Ah...none so far.

Square one is as good a place to start as any.

The bits I will need to find are the really recognizable and odd things like the greebles on crown (head keys?), the dental spacers, the metal linkages around the scalp, the AM plugs for the neck brace, etc.

Having gotten my own replica about half way, I pretty much covered long ago what you've listed above and consequently have few ideas nowadays who's doing what. As I mentioned before, vader-doctor on ebay always had good parts like the linkages, piano keys, side locking mechanisms, keys for the vocoder, etc; you may want to look him up to see if he's still in the business. I see kurtyboy pm'd you; I have no idea what he may have for sale reveal-wise but I know he's good to work with...

Some more info on the tubes. They are marked with "609215 REV A". There is no maker visible on the photos I have. The "proper" model is said to be EMI 9956 from what I can find.

My spare tube is the EMI 9956(A) but again, I am unsure if the dynode slats are copper or aluminum in that model. I bought my dynodes as individual parts brand new from Electron Tubes a long time ago when they were sellling them individually at $20.00 each IIRC, then they went up considerably from that when so many others started to request them after me. They were one of those sources that were genuinely helpful and seemed impressed in a way that their company had a connection to Star Wars, but it's been a long time since I had any connection with them and I'm therefore unaware whether or not they still sell them. I got the intact tube from them gratis as a sort of keepsake type of thing without the intention of every opening it up, so I'll never know what dynodes the tube has...

 

[robbytherobot]

Yes, every journey has a first step... Thanks for the references, I'll be sure to check them out.

 

[robbytherobot]

By the way, I think I really will keep a spare, these things are almost as cool looking as Adam Savage's binary digit tubes, it'd be a shame to bust them all...

 

[jme3]

Yes, every journey has a first step... Thanks for the references, I'll be sure to check them out.

Not a problem. :thumbsup

By the way, I think I really will keep a spare, these things are almost as cool looking as Adam Savage's binary digit tubes, it'd be a shame to bust them all...

That was my thinking! The original use is every bit as interesting as, if not a bit more than, the fake one employed on the reveal! :lol

 

[jme3]

Hey again...

I knew I had a photo of my pmt somewhere on my hard drive but couldn't find it anywhere until now, stumbling across it while looking for something else.

Anyway, here it is. Mostly like yours except the extra parts still attached to the business end on yours.

 

[robbytherobot]

Well, they look pretty close inside for sure....now I can't wait to get these! Package was set to arrive on Fri/Sat but looks more like Monday at this point.

 

[jme3]

Well, they look pretty close inside for sure....now I can't wait to get these! Package was set to arrive on Fri/Sat but looks more like Monday at this point.

I know the feeling. :cool

 

[robbytherobot]

First step: the Rubies Supreme came today. I can see the problems with it already. My first impression--wow Prowse had an enormous noggin. I'm gonna need a bigger dummy... :facepalm

 

[jme3]

What size is the one you have?

 

[robbytherobot]

Adult? I think they only have one size right? I put it on and my wife immediately said "Spaceballs!" It's comically huge if you aren't 6'6 with broad shoulders. :lol

 

[jme3]

Adult? I think they only have one size right? I put it on and my wife immediately said "Spaceballs!" It's comically huge if you aren't 6'6 with broad shoulders. :lol

No, I meant what size mannequin...:lol

 

[robbytherobot]

Ah. :facepalm I don't have one yet, but I had planned to get a generic male fashion mannequin for about $100, but this calls for something more customized. I think I'm actually going to model my dummy on Prowse's physique to get the full effect. I've been wanting to try a DIY posable armature for a long time, I guess the time is now. This is going to be a towering Vader.

 

[jme3]

Ah. :facepalm I don't have one yet, but I had planned to get a generic male fashion mannequin for about $100, but this calls for something more customized. I think I'm actually going to model my dummy on Prowse's physique to get the full effect. I've been wanting to try a DIY posable armature for a long time, I guess the time is now. This is going to be a towering Vader.

Sorry I wasn't more clear on that... :lol

If you have Prowse's measurements and are up to the task, it'd be a shame to do a Vader any other way! :thumbsup